A Law Society in Commonwealth jurisdictions is an association of lawyers which has a regulatory role which includes the right to supervise the training and qualifications of lawyers. Where there is a distinction between barristers and solicitors, solicitors are regulated by the Law Society and barristers by a separate Bar council.
In the United States, unified bar associations are somewhat similar to Law Societies, however there are differences between law societies and the general American phenomenon of bar associations. Usually a bar association is just an association of lawyers; lawyers may or may not join if they do not wish. Law societies are often created by legislation and play significant direct roles in the training, licensing and disciplining of lawyers.
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Law Societies in Great Britain and Ireland:
Canadian Law Societies:
Australian Law Societies:
New Zealand Law Societies:
South African Law Societies:
Law Societies of Other Nations:
